Mr Mehanna said he had received many complaints, mostly from bank, chemist or restaurant staff, who were fed up with being abused.
“A lot of these issues come from businesses being short staffed but there is just so much pressure on them; some are cutting back on staff just to stay afloat but others are having huge problems trying to find staff.
“It’s happening across the board but please don’t take it out on frontline workers.”
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Assaults on Retail Workers) Bill 2023 will see three new offences added to the Crimes Act.
It is now an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment.
Assaulting a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty and causing actual bodily harm to the worker, comes with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment.
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, comes with a maximum penalty of 11 years’ imprisonment.
State MP for Canterbury and Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis, said it was clear retail workers needed greater protection from unacceptable behaviours.
“Everyone deserves to be treated with decency at work, and these important laws show our commitment to support workers and ensure their safety in the workplace,” she said.
